Love in Vienna: The Sigmund Freud–Minna Bernays Affair

by Barry G. Gale

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Author: Barry G. Gale

Publisher: Praeger

Hardcover:
ISBN 10: 1440842205
ISBN 13: 978-1440842207

For many decades, critics and supporters of Freudian theory have debated the exact nature of Freud's relationship with his sister-in-law. This book examines the arguments pro and con in light of recently exposed evidence―the first study to do so in depth.

For many decades, controversy has surrounded the exact nature of famed psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud's relationship with Minna Bernays, his sister-in-law. Why did Freud and Bernays travel alone together on many occasions? Why did she seem to be so much closer to Freud than his own wife, Martha? The idea that Freud and Minna Bernays had a long-standing affair―an allegation that Freudians typically deny―was first mentioned by Carl Gustav Jung, an early supporter of Freud's and later a critic. Love in Vienna: The Sigmund Freud–Minna Bernays Affair provides the first comprehensive look at the relationship and offers conclusions as to its nature and the implications for Freud's life and work.

Organized logically, the book provides background information regarding the two chief antagonists in the story, Sigmund Freud and Carl Gustav Jung. It then presents and critically analyzes arguments for and against there having been an affair. Finally, it looks closely at Freud's relationships with both Minna Bernays and his wife Martha, Minna's sister, and offers conclusions as to the exact nature of Freud's relationship with Bernays.

Beyond fascinating those studying Freud or his theories, this work's subject matter and insights will appeal to readers interested in the history of psychology, psychoanalysis, and psychiatry; the intellectual history of Europe; the history of sex and manners; the history of ideas; the fin de siËcle period in Vienna; and the history of medicine.

• Presents the first comprehensive examination of the close relationship between Sigmund Freud and Minna Bernays and their probable affair, providing a detailed assessment of arguments pro and con

• Suggests that Minna Bernays might have lied about her affair with Sigmund Freud, and that Carl Gustav Jung―whom many Freudians have accused of having fabricated the story of a Freud/Minna affair―merely conveyed what Minna had told him

• Draws on newly available sources, including the 61-page, 1953 Kurt Eissler interview of Jung released by the Freud Archives (Library of Congress) in 2013 after being embargoed for 60 years and dozens of letters between Freud and Minna from the Hirschmüller and Tögel collections―material that has been professionally translated from German into English for the first time

• Provides a fascinating portrait of Freud as a man of simmering sexuality, with amorous interests in both men and women

Review

"Barry Gale...unlike many scholars in this field, gets straight to the point, without indulging in baroque conjectures of one sort or another. He also makes a sensible allowance for the emotional injuries that the anti-Semitism that prevailed in Freud's milieu inflicted on Freud and his family, a point that bears strongly on Freud's complicated relationship with Jung and this is often neglected by researchers....A rigorous exploration....I enthusiastically commend this book."
--PsycCRITIQUES

"Admirable...parses the testimony and arguments of various scholars (on both sides) in a fair and judicious manner....I recommend this book very highly to anyone interested in the subject. . . . It is the most thorough, thoughtful, and incisive summary of this intriguing debate thus far and will likely remain the single most important book on this subject for many years to come."
--Dr.Daniel Burston, Journal of the History of the Behavioral Sciences

"Gale gives his readers a rare insight into the relationship that Freud appeared to treasure most: his ambiguous relationship with [Minna] Bernays."
--Jennifer Cornick, Metropole

"In the history of psychoanalysis, Freud's alleged sexual relationship with his sister-in-law Minna Bernays and Jung's alleged affair with Sabina Spielrein have become sensations, driving debates among defenders and doubters and spawning a considerable literature. Barry G. Gale's [Love in Vienna is]. . . a recent contribution to this genre. . .. The book is a scholarly discussion of the literature about the 'affair' written since [Ernest] Jones (1953) first mentioned rumors about it....Gale[is] convinced (1) that Minna slept with Freud and confessed this to Jung; (2)that Jung told the truth [about the affair] to [Dr. John] Billinsky; and (3) that Billinsky's reportage [he interviewed Jung in 1957] was faithful."
--Dr. Henry Z. Lothane, Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association

"Love in Vienna is a meticulously researched monograph and Barry Gale is to be congratulated on the depth and detail of his investigation."
--Dr. John Wallen, TheVictorian

About the Author

Barry G. Gale, PhD, taught at Cambridge University as a member of Darwin College and served as professorial lecturer at the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, a division of The Johns Hopkins University.

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Love in Vienna: The Sigmund Freud–Minna Bernays Affair